Coal cutting apparatus



' July 28, 1936. c. F. OSGOOD COAL CUTTING APPARATUS Filed July 24, 1955 Patented July 28, 1936 PATENT OFFICE COAL CUTTING APPARATUS Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 24, 1935, Serial No. 32,924

' "21 Claims. (01. 262-43) This invention relates to coal cutting apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in a reciprocatory flexible cutter particularly adaptedto' use with a hoisting mechanism. V

An object of this invention isjto provide an improved coal cutting apparatushaving improved cutting means of the recipr'ocatory type. Another object is to provide an improved coal cutting devicewhereby a relatively narrow kerf .may be rapidly cut in the coal when the aforesaid device is reciprocated rapidly back and forth across the coal scam, in the manner of a cross cutsaw. A further object is to provide an improved coal cutting device of the reciprocatory, cable opera 2 ated type operatively connected to the cables of a holst ing mechanism whereby the hoisting mechanism may operate the cutting device with a reciprocatory motion across the coal seam. Yet another object is to provide in a cutting device of the above character, improved pivotal mounting means for the cutting elements. These and other objects will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. I V

In the accompanying drawing there arelshown for purposes-of illlustration' three formswhich this invention may assume in practice.

.. In this drawing,

a 1 Fig; l is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing'the preferred illustrative form of the improved cutting device and the associated hoistingmechanism. v Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partially in side eleimproved cutting device shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view'taken substantially'on line 3-3 of Fig.2. a

a Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section showing a modified form of cutter mounting.

Fig. 5 isa view in longitudinal section showing still another form of cutter mounting.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing one of the pivoted cutter blocks.

In the illustrative construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and Fig. 6, the improved reciprocating cutter is generally designated l, the cable winding mechanism 2 andthe'cu'tter actu- 50 ating cables 3 and 4. The cable winding mechanism 2 includes a pair of relatively rotatable,

power operated cable winding drums 5 and '6 operated and controlled by a suitable reverse control mechanism! by means of which the. drums 55 may be oppositely rotated in unison so that as vation and partially in longitudinal section of the one drum is winding up its cable,'the other drum will be paying out its cable. a The improved reciprocating cutter is particularly adapted to use in pillar cutting in accordance with the panel system of mining and is especially designed to use in cutting pillars be-. tween rooms or entries. In this instance, the pillar or panel is indicated at 8 and the tunnels or galleries extending along the sidesof the pillar are indicated at 9, while the cross connecting entries are indicated at II]. t

The cables 3 and 4 are connected in any suitable manner to the ends of the improved reciprocating cutter l, the latter being disposed across the pillar 8 and along the sides thereof in the manner shown in Fig. 1. Each of the cables 3 and 4 is carried along the entry 9 in which it is located to the cross connecting entry In at the end of the pillar 8 remote from the end upon which the cutter is operated. Suitable temporary posts or columns .II are located at the opposite sides of the entry Hi, to which pulley blocks or sheaves l2 are attached and through which the cables 3 and 4 run to make a right angle turn for connection with the winding drums 5 and 6 of the hoisting mechanism. By arranging the cable guiding pulleys l2v at different locations and by changing the stroke and length of the cutter, it will be evident that pillars of varying widths may be expeditiously cut.

So that the operator may determine the exact location of the cutter within the cut, suitable markers l3 and I4 are adjustably attached, as by suitable clamps, to the cables 3 and 4, respectively, at points spaced'equally from the ends of the cutter, and these markers are located adjacent the cable winding mechanism 2 within the sight of the operator so that the operator may readily ascertain the exact position of the cutter with respect to the coal seam so as to obtain the proper cutting strokes.

The reversing mechanism 1 is of the proper character to effect reversal of the direction of rotation ofthe drums 5 and 6 at the proper intervals so that the cutter I will be reciprocated rapidly back and forth, in the manner of a cross cutting saw, across the coal seam in the pillar.

Now referring to the illustrative form of the improved cutting device, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, it will be observed that the same is in the form of a flexible actuating element, preferably of articulated construction, herein comprising a length of chain l5. This chain comprises rodlike link elements 16 in the form of bolts having spaced end collars I1, I! and eye-like end porlike supports 22, each having pivotally mounted thereon at 23 a cutter block 24. :The pivotal axes of the cutter blocks 24 are arranged at right angles to lines extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the block 2! and eachis provided with a pair of suitable sockets for receiving reversely positioned cutter bits 25, each of the bits being held within its socket by means of a usual set screw 26. 22 of the rotatable blocks are cut away at 21 to receive the pivoted cutter blocks, and are formed with end abutment surfaces 28. and 29 with which the cutter blocks are engage'able in their opposite positions about"theirpivots. It will thus be seen that the blocks 20 are rotatable about the longitudinalaxis 0f the reciprocating cutter and that the cutter bits, by means of their pivoted mountings, .are automatically reversed as the cutter is reciprocated back and forth.

In" the modified'form of construction shown in Fig. 4, the pivoted cutter blocks are mounted on rotatable blocks 30 each having'secured within its bore 3| a bearing sleeve 32 having outwardly flared ends 33, and these blocks are rotatably mounted on a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope or cable 34. Mounted on the cable atthe opposite sides of the rotatable blocks and engaging the flared ends of the bearing sleeves are bearing washers 35, 35', while the blocks are maintained in spaced relation on the cable 34 by means ofspacings1eeves36. In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 5, the actuating cable 34 has mounted thereon sleeves 31 on which are rotatably mounted blocks 38 on which the pivoted cutter blocks are mounted. The' sleeves .31 are maintained in spaced relation by spacing sleeves 38. In this instance, the blocks 38,have pivotally mounted thereon at 39 cutter blocks 40, eachcarrying a cutter bit 4|, and 'the cutters on one rotatable block face in one direction, while the cutters on the next succeeding blockface in the opposite direction. The arm-like portions 42 of the block 38 are provided with abutment surfaces 43 and44, the cutter blocks being engaged with the abutment surfaces 43 during cutting and'with the abutment surfaces 44 when in their inoperative position.

7 The swinging cutter blocks are similarly mounted on the blocks 39 shown in Fig. 4. Otherwise the T forms of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are similar to that described above. I 'The operation of the improved" reciprocating cutter will'be' rea'dily understood from the foregoing description, it being noted that as the cutter is moved by the cables 3, 4 of the hoisting mechanism 2, the pivotalconnectionsof the cutter blocks with the .rotatable'blocks enables the cutters to tilt on both; opposite directions of movement, thereby enabling the cutter bitsto reverse'automatically as the cutter is reciprocated back 'andforth; across the coal seam; ,As the cutprogresses and brings the front pulleys of thecu'tter actuating cables too nearthe guide pulleys, the." posts fll may; be removed and the entirefmechanis'm placed further. back in the tr -1 if. 1 r As a result ;of this invention, it will be noted that an improved. reciprocating cutter is providedwhich is'bperated by means located atav The arm-like portions point remote from the cutting face, thereby diminishing the possibility of injury to theoperator and damage to the machine upon falling of the roof. It will further be noted that an improved reciprocating cutter is provided consist- 5 ing of a flexible actuating element havingrotat ably mounted thereon blocks on which the revers-. ible cutter blocks are pivotally' mounted so that when the cutter is moved in one'direction, one set of cutter bits acts tocut the kerf, or when the 'cutter is moved in the opposite direction, another,

set of cutting bits acts to cut the kerf, so that as the coal face, several cutter bits are always effective to perform the cuttingv function. 'It will 15 further be noted that the improved reciprocat ing cutter is composed. of elements which are 1 extremely simple and rugged in design and which maybe manufactured at a minimum of expense; Other uses and advantages of theim-fZO proved reciprocating cutterwill be clearly apparenttothose skilled in. the art. 2, i c Q While I have in this application specifically, de-' scribed three formswhich my invention may assume in practice, it'willbe understood that these forms of thejsameare shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modi-g fled and embodied in various other forms with out departing from its spirit or the scopeof the appended claims.

- What-I-claim as new and desire" to secure by. Letters Patent is: 1 '1. In'a reciprocating cutter, a series of rot'at able blocks-mounted to turn about the 'longitudi I nal'axis of the cutter, and a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks for swinging movement relative thereto h and to each other, each'pivoted ,cutter block carrying a cutter bit. a g Y 2. In a, reciprocating cutter, aseries .of rotatable blocks mounted to turn about-Qthe longitudi-' nal axis of the cutter, and a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said'rotat-- able blocks for swinging movement relative theretojandto each other, each pivoted' cutter block' 45 carrying'reversely positioned cutter bits. b V

3. In a reciprocating'cuttei', a flexible actuating element comprising a series of rod-like -elements disposed longitudinally of said ffiex'ible actuating element and pivotally, connected by links, a block rotatably mountedioneachrod-likeV element, and a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each'of said rotatable-blocks,--each pivoted cutterblock carrying a cutter bit. v Y 4. In a reciprocatingcutter, aflexible actuat:

ing elementcomprising aseriesof rod-likeelements disposed longitudinally of saidflexible actuating element and 'pivotally' connected by links, a blockrotatably mounted on each rod-like element, and a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks," each pivoted cutter block carrying reversely positioned cutter bits. 7 7

5. In a reciprocating cutter,-a fiexibleea'ctuating-element comprising rod-like elements disposed longitudinally of said flexible actuating element and pivotally connected by. links, blocks rotatably mounted on each of 'saidrod-like elements,

a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter to block carryingla cutter bit, and stop means on. said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of saidcutter blocks in one direction V 6. 'In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element comprising rod-like elemnts'di'sposed longitudinally of said flexible actuating element and pivotally connected by links, blocks rotatably mounted on each of said rod-like elements, a plurality'of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit, and stop means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said cutter blocks in opposite directions.

7. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element comprising rod-like elements disposed longitudinally of said flexible actuating element and pivotally connected by links, blocks rotatably mounted on each of said rod-like elements, a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying reversely positioned cutter bits, and stop means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said cutter blocks in one direction.

8. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element comprising rod-like elements pivotally connected by links, blocks rotatably mounted on each of said rod-like elements, a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying reversely positioned cutter bits, and stop means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said cutter blocks in opposite directions.

9. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, blocks rotatably mounted on said wire rope and turnable thereon relative thereto and to each other on axes extending longitudinally of said rope, spacing elements on said wire rope between said blocks for maintaining said blocks in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, and a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit.

10. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, blocks rotatably mounted on said wire rope and turnable thereon relative thereto and to each other on axes extending longitudinally of said rope, spacing elements on said wire rope between said blocks for maintaining said blocks in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit, and stop means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said pivoted cutter blocks in one direction.

v11. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, blocks rotata-bly mounted on said wire rope and turnable thereon relative thereto and to each other on axes extending longitudinally of said rope, spacing elements on said wire rope between said blocks for maintaining said blocks in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit, and stop means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said pivoted cutter blocks in opposite directions.

12. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, bearing sleeves mounted on said wire rope, spacing means on said wire rope for maintaining said bearing sleeves in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, a block rotatably mounted on each of said bearing sleeves, and a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit.

13. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, bearing sleeves mounted on said wire rope, spacing means on said wire rope for maintaining said bearing sleeves in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, a block rotatably mounted on each of said bearing sleeves, a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit, and means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said cutter blocks in one direction.

14. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, bearing sleeves mounted on said wire rope, spacing means on said wire rope for maintaining said bearing sleeves in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, a block rotatably mounted on each of said bearing sleeves, a plurality of cutter blocks pivotally mounted on each of said rotatable blocks, each pivoted cutter block carrying a cutter bit, and means on said rotatable blocks for limiting swinging movement of said cutter blocks in opposite directions.

15. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element, a series of blocks rotatably mounted at spaced points along the length of said actuating element and rotatable relative to each other and to said flexible actuating element upon axes extending longitudinally of said flexible actuating element, and cutter bits pivotally mounted on said rotatable blocks to swing in planes extending in the direction of reciprocatory motion of the cutter.

16. In a reciprocating cutter, a series of rotatable blocks mounted in turn independently of each other about axes extending in the direction of reciprocation of the cutter, and a plurality of cutters pivotally mounted on each block to swing relative thereto in planes parallel with the block rotation axes.

17. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element, a series of blocks journaled for rotation at spaced points along the length of said actuating element and rotatable relative to each other and to said flexible actuating element upon axes extending longitudinally of said flexible actuating element, and reversible cutter bits pivotally mounted on said rotatable blocks to swing with respect thereto in planes extending in the direction of reciprocation of the cutter.

18. In a. reciprocating cutter, a series of rotatable blocks mounted to turn independently of each other about axes extending in the direction of reciprocation of the cutter, and reversely positioned cutters pivotally mounted on each rotatable block to swing relative thereto in planes parallel to the block rotation axes.

19. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element including a series of articulated rodlike elements, a block journaled for rotation on each rod-like element, and a plurality of cutters pivotally mounted on each rotatable block to swing with respect thereto in planes parallel with the block rotation axes.

20. In a reciprocating cutter, a flexible actuating element in the form of a wire rope, blocks journaled for rotation on said wire rope and turnable thereon relative thereto and to each other, spacing elements maintaining said blocks in spaced relation along the length of the wire rope, and cutters pivotally mounted on each block to swing relative thereto in planes parallekwiththe rope, blocks journaledfor rotation on'said bearaxes. 1

ing sleeves respectively, and cutters pivotally" mounted on said blocks to swing with; respect thereto in-planes parallel with the :block rotation CHARLES F.-OSGOOD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,049,171. July 28, 1956;

CHARLES F. 056001).

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, second column, line 38, claim 16, for the word "in" read to; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of December, A. D. 1936.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

